[MountainRose]

Hello,
I need, need, need a GOOD carrier. I am at the low end of the money scale. I just got paid and am going to purchase one.
It is very important I pick one that is just right for us.
Please lend your assistance in my choice.

My son is 4mnths old around 17-18 lbs. I work parttime out of the house. He is with me everywhere I go. At work I am partially in an office and partially on the grounds. At home I am active inside and out.

I have considered a sutemi or mei tai. Presently the sling I have is not working with out squeezing me. I have been carrying him lots. I need a carrier that will provide me and him with ample support. I am about 5'6" and have a small frame.

Will the sutemi wear too much on one shoulder??
Also Is it easy to get mama and babe in and out of...I will need to do this with ease.
Do the Mei Tai carriers wear on the mother?

What is a good carrier for long periods, which mother or wearer can work/be active with ease while babe is completely comfortable....also getting in and out of with ease.

I want to make a good purchase. The Mei Tai/Sutemi are not my only considerations...maybe a Maya wrap/sling thing?

Also, Wyatt's daddy will wear him some too...He is about 6' tall with a medium frame...can he wear the Sutemi
As you can see I have been thinking. I am beyond ready to make my purchase.
Would you please be so kind and oh so sweet to give me a little advice.

Thank You Thank You

 

[alegna]

I'd go with a Mei Tai. I LOVE ours (I have several now) It's not the fastest to get babe in and out of, though with a little practice it's really easy. It is easy on the wearer and my dd is happy in it for quite a while (on my front or back) as long as I'm moving.

good luck!

-Angela

 

[Matanuska Motherlode]

Do you have a sewing machine? If so, you could make your own mei tai for very little money! They are quick and easy to sew and you can make it to your own preferences

 

[crystallynn]

A mei-tai would probably be your best option. They are easy on the shoulders and back and pretty easy to learn. There isn't much versatility with them, but the comfort more than makes up for it. Have you looked at the Patapum? Similar to the sutemi, but with less padding on the shoulders. I thought the sutemi shoulder pads were too bulky.

 

[AnnR33]

You and your DH will likely both not be able to wear the Sutemi since it comes in different sizes-you'd be a small and he'd be a large.
I'd also recommend a mei tai. You can wear him on your front or back and it's truly hands free for your active lifestyle and work. I can wear mine for hours with no strain on my back or shoulders.
And you and your DH should both be able to wear it.
Be sure to get the padded shoulder straps whatever you buy.
If you stick with the well known brands I think you'll be happy with it. Check out the reviews at www.thebabywearer.com under soft carriers and traditional carriers
some of the more popular ones that are readily available
www.sachicarriers.com
www.freehandbaby.com
Good luck
Ann

 

[pdxcdingmomma]

I'd say either a mei tai or wrap would be the best bang for your buck. Both can be worn by different sized people and are two-shoulder carries so are comfortable for long periods of time.

Mei tais are more limited to the carries you can do but are easier to deal with (and more attractive).

Wraps are amazingly versatile but have a higher learning curve.

HTH!

 

[kamesennin]

Have you considered a wrap? It is a bit difficult to learn how to tie at first, but there are so many ways to use it--front carry, hip carry, back carry, and it gets easier the more you get used to it. Wraps also distribute the weight over your shoulders better than other carriers so it's easy on your back. If you get a really long one, you can do all of the carries and your husband can use it too. I got one at lovewrap.com and it was $40. I could get rid of all my other carriers and just use my wrap, it's so useful.

 

[snowflake]

I'd go for a mei tai.

Definitely the most comfy for long periods of wearing baby. I've got an AngelPack (www.attachedtot.com) and a freehand (www.freehandbaby.com) and

them both.

 

[De-lovely]

What about a Moby wrap? I carry both my dd's (at seperate times :LOL ) who are 18mos and 6 mos..... it was only $40 ppd at www.cottoncradles.com

 

[Mamma Jude]

You can sort carriers by price here. Also, the MDC babywearing frontpage offers coupons and thebabywearer.com FSOT (For Sale Or Trade) board often has great deals, too!

 

[mother nurture]

If you are going to invest in a new carrier, I would recommend the Mei Tai. I used a sling for the first year, and just started using a Mei Tai. It is so comfortable. It was a little awkward at first, but we are getting use to it now. Both my dd, me and my dh like it. Also, it doesn't bother my shoulders or back like the sling I was using (mostly b/c I favored one side).

I know exactly how you feel being eager and wanting to get one. Check out these sites...

www.freehandbaby.com
www.meitaibaby.com

These are the two that I really considered. It is a lot of money, but like I said it's an investment, especially if your ds is 4 months. You can also check out the trading post here, or even ebay. They have tons of baby carriers there (slings, wraps, mei tais, etc.). Best of luck.

 

[aceboo]

i don't think the freehand is a good choice for someone low on funds...

 

[snowflake]

I don't know if it's okay to link, so I won't, but at AmityMama there's a sewing mama who's offering mei tais for $25 I think it was. A mod can delete this or LMK to delete it if I'm not allowed to post it.

: Can I say that the OP can pm me for info?

: Hope this is okay to post...

 

[december]

My husband & I both use our Sutemi in size small. I am 5'4'', size medium and my husband is 6 ft tall, size large. The shoulders are padded, but not too thick. I can still fold it up easily to store in a tote bag. The carrier is $75 and the used ones that I have seen cost almost the same. The Sutemi distributor that I bought mine from has free shipping and an excellent return policy so if the carrier wouldn't have worked for both of us, I could have returned it.
A mei tai would be so comfortable as well, although it takes practicing a few times tying.

 

[emsstacey]

A MeiTai should work perfect! I would get one with padded straps. Look at the reviews at The Babywearer. There are many that are priced reasonably.

Stacey

 

[nora--not a llama]

I would also recommend the Mai Tai. Go to www.wallypop.net. I just ordered one from Sarah...she is so easy to work with and her prices are so reasonable. I too am on a budget, so price was really important to me.
Good luck and blessings!

 

[Quindin]

A MeiTai would be the best option for your - the age range for wearing it comfortably is very big (works just as great with newborns and toddlers: VERY comfortable indeed)

Another affordable MT with good reviews in the DiaperPin and TheBabywearer.com is the new Lovey
http://www.hightopbabydesigns.com/store/

They usually sell for 40PPD, but there is a sale now for $37 PPD (and I even think the 10% off from the Diaper Hunt could be applied on top, but I am not sure)

They have pretty prints and the owner is known to be very accomodating and to offer great costumer service - the prints look pretty too